The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-02-26
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES,
GEORGE wAsHISGTON.
OLD SETTLERS.


Mag ,,usn, W,nmg Confidence IN AH'
Caution; LIE and Fortune Giren 10 HIS
CouatrG SER Pose, Courtesy, GodgrreH
MAJESTY HIS Royal HeP,MeeE Home one
Hmdrei Years Igo.
Tue subject o. This sketch was not born In
this county. Indeed it may be reasonably
doubted, whether he ever visited Ottawa,
As, however he has been prominen, in pub
lie aud political life, and, las, Tuesday, the
children in our public schools had holiday
on his account, he may very properly take
place among our " early settlers and our
prominent fellow citiIen9. Although born
in one OF the British Colonies, no prejudice
exists in our feeling towards him on that
account. lie would have been born in the
United States just as Willingly as elsewhere,
SO Tar as he is concerned. His parents lived
on the south side of the Potomac, not very
far from the river in Westmorelsnd county,
where his father, Augustine, had consider
able landed property. At the age OF ten
years hi. father died. and the molding and
training of the boy fell largely to the care Of
his mother. In those days the home school
was the chief place of education for the child
rem; and their studies were for the most
part limited to few Of the simplest things
essential for the ordinary business OF daily;
reading. writing, history and arithmetic.
But the young people were in daily contact
With all that was just, and kind, and good,
industrious and frugal in The companion.
ships of the family, aud grew up with prac,
teal rather than romantic views.
George had private teaching to some
extent, and early made himself familiar with
practical surveying, with life in the woods,
with camping out, with savage life. His
older brother had married q relative of Lord
Fairfax, who owned large estates in the
northern neck of Virginia. This gentlemen
being favorsbly impressed with George,
gave him, when only seventeen years old,
an appointment as surveyor in the territory
north and west towards the Ohio river. This
indicates his early maturity and business
tact, and was good training tor subsequent
service. The brother Law ,ce, next older
than George, had seen sc. ,ce under Ad-
mirsl Vernon, who took Carthagens, Ia.
Returning to America. he accumulated large
landed estates among the finest in Virginia,
and named his country seat on the banks of
the Potomac, Mt. Vernon, in honor of his
admiral. At his death, being unmarried
not very long after, this property came into
the possession of his brother George, who
was himself strongly inclined to the military
profession. When only niAeteen he accepted
the place Of one Of the adjutant generals, in
in Virginia, with rank Of major. lie was
soon sent by the Governor on a perlous
trip through the forests to the French com
mander, along the Ohio taking possession
Of and building forts on lands claimed by
Virginia This trip George made on horse
back with only one attendant, about 400
miles, through the perious wilderness. At
ter serving this notice, to which no attention
was paid, he was sent with a regiment AZ
terward in 1865 he went as volunteer aid
de. camp of the English General Braddock,
against the French and Indians at old fort
Du Quesin The general, iisdainng the
wise councils of Washington, WAS ambushed
and the English troops were dreslfully cut
up, and every mounted officer but Washing
ton killed or wounded Washington, by the
aid of his handful of Virginia men, saved the
remnant of the 200 English soldiers, having
TWO horses killed under him and receiving
four balls through his coat. This success
made his reputation. For three years after,
as commander in. chief of the forces Of Yir-
gnia, he served for the protection Of the
frontier against the French and indians.
Near the close Of tins period Of service,
Washington was sent with important com
municstions TO Governor Dinwi1die, at vii
lamsburg. Crossing the Pemunkey river,
II lc W II pIV'-th WI nlOU,
then in military undress, to accept his hos
FATALITIES lie was wholly unsuccessful! until
he brought up his reserve, in an intimstion
that he would introduce his friend to a
young and charming widow, then his guest.
The colonel yielded on condition that he
should stay only to dine But truth to tell
he only got away after the sun was well up
next morning. He mad met Mrs Martha
Curtis, fair, fascinating, and of elegant man
ners; just his own age (26), very wealthy,
very handsome, and very youthful in appear.
ance On HE return he visited her at her
house. and matrimonial matters were settled.
Mrs. Curtis became Mrs. Washington, and
they began housekeeping at Mount Vernon,
the property given him by his brother Law
renee. For nearly seventeen years Wash.
ington devoted himself chiefly to the care of
his estate, though serving almost continually
in the legislature Of his province, and chosen
afterward to the fret congress meeting at
Philadelphia. 1t was from this that he was
transferred to the general and onmander,iL-
u. r Al ~